TEXTILES.ORG
The 2026 Marine Fabricators Conference, which took place Jan. 8–10 at the Hyatt Regency in Savannah, Ga., combined practical education with deep connection among fellow fabricators.
In total, 258 attendees and exhibitors attended the conference. Of those attendees, 59 attended the conference for the first time. Additionally, several new attendees from 2025 joined the Marine Fabricators Association (MFA) Ambassador program for 2026 so they could welcome newcomers and share their experiences.
The conference featured educational events such as a pre-conference workshop on bimini basics, the annual Fabricators Olympics, a Showoff Showcase featuring privacy screens, various small-group seminars and roundtable discussions. This year’s conference also included the return of the Thunderbolt Marina shop tour, a favorite activity among attendees at the 2018 event. Participants broke into small groups as marina employees guided them through myriad facilities and offered a detailed look at their operations.
In-depth presentations covered topics such as upholstery foam, building value for the trade, center console enclosures, marine upholstery tips and patterning. Attendees also enjoyed a lively show floor where they met exhibitors and built key partnerships. One exhibitor noted that this conference was the “best one yet” in the over 20 years they’ve attended.
“I have been to many, many, many conferences in my antimicrobials career and this one was genuinely my favorite. I admired the community that the MFA cultivated through this conference. It was an incredible experience,” said Helena Kim, director of business development at Microban International.
Special events
As in previous years, the conference opened with a welcome party and its annual costume contest. This year’s theme was “Onesies,” and attendees enjoyed a fun evening in the Harborside ballroom at the conference venue, with a lovely view of the river. First- through third-place winners were Joni and Daymon Johnstone from Lakeside Marine Canvas, Stephen and Nicole Sawyer from Signature CanvasMakers LLC, and Tina Heaston from NautiLoft Custom Canvas LLC.
Another conference event was the Fabricator Olympics. Congratulations to the first- through fourth-place winners:
- Mike Erickson, Canvas Designers Inc.
- Mike Charlton, Charlton’s Marine Canvas
- Rusty Hashemi, Boats ‘n Sews
- Lee Brayton, BC Marine Canvas
The conference also hosted the Tools, Tips and Tricks contest. First-through third-place winners were Tommy Parks from Rocket Upholstery, Todd Hansen from Seahawk Marine Canvas LLC, and Mike Boatman from Boatman Marine Canvas.
Awarding excellence
The conference closed on a high note at the MFA Fabrication Excellence Awards dinner. Awards of Excellence and Outstanding Achievements were given in each of the 11 categories, and one Award of Distinction was given in Upholstery and Exterior categories. The Award of Distinction in Exterior was “Big Top Engineering—Bluewater 68 Coastal Cruiser” by Chicago Marine Canvas and the Award of Distinction in Upholstery was “Eliminator 25 Daytona” by Marine Tops Unlimited.
Rookie of the Year and Attendee’s Choice awards were voted on by conference attendees. Both awards went to “Midnight Special” by Lavigne’s Canvas Co. Inc.
Honoring achievements
At the awards dinner, Steve Szenay, MFC, and Bill McDaniel earned the distinction of Advanced Textiles Association (ATA) Honored Life Member.
Both men were recognized by the ATA Board of Directors for their exceptional achievements and lasting contributions.
“These gentlemen truly represent the very best of our industry,” said Charlene Clark, IFM, co-owner of Signature CanvasMakers LLC and ATA board member.
State of the MFA
MFA board members spoke at the annual brunch meeting Saturday, Jan. 10. They introduced themselves, discussed the state of the association and explained the varying sub-committees focusing on topics like certification, education, social media and membership.
MFA members can access benefits such as Time Standards Manual, business succession planning, retirement and healthcare benefits, and more. Learn more about becoming a member on the MFA’s website.
